US takes softer line on Peru

The US government toned down its criticism of Peru's controversial elections yesterday, redefining the voting process as "seriously…

The US government toned down its criticism of Peru's controversial elections yesterday, redefining the voting process as "seriously flawed" rather than "illegitimate", Michael McCaughan writes from Lima.

The US State Department said: "No decision has been made about any steps to be taken, nor are we presently considering taking any unilateral actions."

President Alberto Fujimori won a third term in office last Sunday after his principal rival, Alejandro Toledo, withdrew from the race, citing serious irregularities.

Mr Toledo has called for a diplomatic offensive against Mr Fujimori, but the governments of Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Bolivia publicly declared their support for non-intervention in the affairs of their neighbours, thereby weakening the prospect of diplomatic isolation or economic sanctions.

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Uruguay's Foreign Minister, Didier Opperti, took a stronger line, openly supporting Mr Fujimori's election victory and stating that his government would not back any regional measure to annul the Peruvian vote.

Any action taken against Mr Fujimori will now depend on the outcome of yesterday's meeting of the Organisation of American States (OAS), a regional body comprising 34 nations.

Mr Fujimori described the first US statement as "disturbing and surprising", but reacted positively to the rectification, which he called "more realistic and objective".